Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Sunday, November 18, 2018

CD Review: Greg Yasinitsky - Yazz Band.

Greg Yasinitsky is a new name to me but, better late than never. This fine saxist, composer, arranger and educator has been around for many years - 40 years plus in education as well as studio and live sessions with a diversity of talent that includes Stan Getz, Randy Brecker and Ray Charles. This and a wide assortment of music awards make him a voice to be reckoned with.

His many skills are well-displayed here. All nine titles were composed and arranged by Yasinitsky who also solos on alto or tenor on most of them and filled out the pared-down sax section on baritone. On the ballad Missing You his melodic side comes to the fore although not without a midway blast! The closing cadenza and the final few bars by the sax section are truly beautiful.

Not that this is a one-man show. Most of the band solo, all matching the high standard set by the leader. Vern Sielert takes all but one of the trumpet solos: fiery and fluent yet lyrical when he switches to flugelhorn. John Harbaugh blows the screamers and solos on Full Blown which also features bassist David Snider. 

Of the trombones, Glenn and Gamberling are featured on Gator Tail trading choruses then shorter breaks until it blends into one jointless continuation. Jenny Kellogg solos on Partial Eclipse - sandwiched between the leader's gutsy tenor and Sielert's hard-bop trumpet solo Ms. Kellogg loses nothing by comparision. Throughout the album, all five trombonists combine for a mellow section sound.

Brian Ward is, deservedly, well-featured on piano whilst bass and drums provide the necessary impetus to make this such a swinging outfit.
Well worth checking out.
Lance 
Greg Yasinitsky—alto, tenor and baritone saxophones
Ann Marie Yasinitsky—flute
Vanessa Sielert—alto saxophone
Patrick Sheng—tenor saxophone
John Harbaugh—trumpet and flugelhorn
Vern Sielert—trumpet and flugelhorn
Dave Glenn—trombone
Jenny Kellogg—trombone and bass trombone
Al Gemberling—trombone
Sarah Miller—trombone
PJ Kelley—bass trombone
Brian Ward—piano
F. David Snider—bass
David Jarvis—drums
Dan Bukvich—drums

1 comment :

Greg Yasinitsky said...

Thanks SO MUCH for your kind review of my CD YAZZ Band. It is GREATLY appreciated!!
Greg Yasinitsky

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